States abuse the rise of synthetic cannabinoid smo

July 15, 2010

July 15: States abuse the rise of synthetic cannabinoid smoking blends to ban Salvia

In many states, smoking blends such as Spice and K2 are under scrutiny, since they have been found to contain synthetic cannabinoids, producing virtually the same effects as cannabis. However, many of these states are now taking the opportunity to squeeze in a ban on Salvia right along with newly enforced bans of synthetic cannabinoids. Lawmakers simply tag Salvia as another ‘legal high’ that should be made illegal as quick as possible. Whereas bills to ban Salvia on its own were often rejected due to lack of proof that it is a harmful substance, the ‘marijuana substitutes’ solve that problem. Tennessee lawmakers even added an amendment that states the FDA must approve products with synthetic cannabinoids or salvia before they can be sold in the state.